Art Cities & Tuscany with Rome Essentials Winter | Guided Group Tour | 8 Days

DAY 1:                                 ROME

Upon arrival at the airport, make your own way to the hotel to check in and settle into your room. The remainder of the day is at leisure to begin exploring the Eternal City. Overnight in Rome.

DAY 2:                                 ROME – ASSISI – SIENA – FLORENCE
Depart at 7:15 am by a deluxe coach. You will arrive in Assisi, ready to explore, at your own leisure. Take time to visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Free time for lunch (lunch not included).  Continue to Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the Palio, the historical horse race around the shell-shaped town square: Piazza del Campo. Next, continue to Florence for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 3:                                 FLORENCE
Explore Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Baptistery. See Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica. Enjoy free time for lunch (lunch not included). In the afternoon, choose between free time in the city or an optional visit to Pisa, with its Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. Overnight in Florence. (B)

DAY 4:                                 FLORENCE – BOLOGNA – VENICE
Travel to Bologna, a city rich in culture and culinary excellence. Walk from Piazza Malpighi to Piazza Maggiore, admiring San Petronio Basilica and the Palazzo del Podestà. Enjoy free time for lunch (lunch not included). In the afternoon, continue to Venice (Mestre) for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 5:                                 VENICE
Transfer to Piazza San Marco and discover Venice’s highlights with a guided tour. Visit Doge’s Palace (outside) and cross the Bridge of Sighs. After the visit, free time for lunch and to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Venice (Mestre). (B)

DAY 6:                                 VENICE – MONTEPULCIANO – ROME
After breakfast, depart Venice and travel through Tuscany to Montepulciano, a hilltop town known for “Vino Nobile” and stunning views. Upon arrival in Montepulciano, enjoy free time to stroll through the historic centre. After lunch (lunch not included), take some free time before heading back to Rome. Overnight in Rome. (B)

DAY 7:                                 ROME
After breakfast, begin exploring Rome at your own pace. Overnight in Rome. (B)

DAY 8:                                ROME
After breakfast, end of services. (B)

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR):
ROME: Hotel San Martin, or Diana Roof Garden Hotel
FLORENCE: Hotel Raffaello, or Hotel Una Vittoria
VENICE: Hotel B&B Venezia Laguna (Tronchetto area)

INCLUDES:

• 7 nights’ accommodation in a combination of 3 and 4* hotels
• Breakfast daily
• Sightseeing tours in Florence and Venice
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle

EXCLUDES:

• Entrance tickets to sites and museums (unless stated otherwise)
• City tax (to be paid directly at the hotel)
• Beverages
• Hotel taxes and or service charges
• Tips
• Everything which is not mentioned in “includes”

THINGS TO NOTE:

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.
• Tour can be a combination of regular tours; therefore, coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.
• For operational reasons, order of itinerary and/or excursions is subject to change at any time. Optional excursions not specified in our itinerary will be suggested by the tour leader.
• Venice accommodation is in Mestre on the mainland.